Safety device for flatirons



Nov. 14, 1933. H. LOMQ 1 ,935,407

SAFETY DEVICE- FOR FLATIRoNs Filed May 18', 1932 Patented Novo 14, 1933"NITED STATES *PATENT OFFICE SAFETY DEVICE FOR FLATIRONS Henry Lomo,Chicago, lll. A Application May 18, 1932. Serial No. 611,967 it crains.(ci. esi-2e) This invention relates to safety devices for fiat to aposition above the lov/er surface of the iron, irons, and is moreparticularly directed to safety endining Operations may then beiesuneddevices adapted to support the iron in suspended The invention isfurther characterized by proposition above the ironing board when theiron viding a mounting for the iron upon the frame is not being used.such that the iron may be readily removed thereeil Electric flat irons,as are now commonly in from, if desired, in order to facilitate detaileduse, cannot be left resting upon cloth or fabric, as and minute ironingOperatiOnS- 4 they Will quickly scorch material of this charac- Theframe preferably iS P1`0Vided With an 9X' ter. Further, it may beundesirable to shut oir tending tongue at the rear thereof, adapted t0the current to the iron, since this necessitates receive a wire forsupporting the cord leadingy re-heating the iron before it can beused'again, to the current supply for the iron, in order to which causesa considerable loss of time. It has provide a greater range of movementof the iron therefore been customary to provide raised plates and t0prevent 'the COId flOIn interfering With or grids upon which the iron isplaced when it is ironing operations.

necessary to cease the ironing operation for a, In order thatthoseskilled in the art may more 70 short period of time. These gridsare of rather readily understand the COIISIUCtiOn and Operesubstantialconstruction, and do not dissipate tion of a preferred form of myinvention, I will heat readily. When it is desired, therefore, to -110Wdescribe the Same in detail, in Connection rrove the grid, aconsiderable period of time may with the accompanying drawing, in whichlike lapse before it is cool enough to be handled, reference numeralsrefer to similar parts through- 75 I therefore propose to support theiron in posi- 011i the descriptiontion above the material orfabric beingironed a. In lthe draWingt suflicient distance to prevent scorching ofthe Figure 1 is a' perspective view of an electric same, and in suchmanner that upon again flat iron provided with the safety device of thegrasping the iron it is immediately released to Present inVenifiOn; 80ironing position, the support being automatically Figure 2 1S e detailperspective View 0f the drawn up out of the way. guide which supportsthe iron and which is In the preferred form of the invention, Iproslidable upon the frame; vide, in combination with any common type ofFigure 3 is a perspective View showing a modi- 33 electric at ironhaving the ordinary handle fied form of safety device; 85 supported by ahandle strap secured to the upper Figure 4 is a sectional view of theClamping surface of the iron, a wire frame portion surmeans shown inFigure 3; and rounding the iron and supporting the same for Figure 5 isa partialk perspective view of a vertical sliding movement with respectto the further modied embodiment of the invention.

3v frame, the iron being carried by a suitable guide Referring now indetail to Figure 1, I have 9e slidable vertically on the frame.disclosed therein the flat iron 6 having the handle The frame has avertically extending portion strap 'I secured to the upper surfacethereof, forming a relatively elongated bearing for reas by means of thescrew 8, and having the ceiving the guide which supports the iron. Thishandle 9, preferably formed 0f Weed, 0l' eine? 13 guide is so formed asto exert a binding or shsekneat insulating material, Carried thereby, asis 95 ling action with respect to the vertically extend- Wen knOWn- Thehandle and Strap may be 0f ing bearing portion of the frame when theiron'any desired configuration. .The iron 6 is Kif-"0- is in raisedposition, due to the Weight of the Ylded Wlth Sulta'ble proectmg prongsengagmg iron tending tc coca the guide about this portion n ghesgketfmemer 10 .Elch has the com n 1w of the frame. The frictio-nalresistance of this Sla 11mg ,Ie Ism .o a' smi de Sqcrf curre fiockigacoiifs Sucent to maintain me nro lorysurfage, grolrrlierby hewbaselsicich m ralsed pos,tonsi^spended abo@ the lromng engages the fabric orothermaterial during the board; The iron is released from its suspendedrom-ng Operation position by raising the rear end thereof, such as Thehandle 9 is supported between the up 105 by grasping the handle andlifting the TOn wardly extending portion of the handle-strap 'Zslightly, and the binding 0f the guide is thus by means of a throughboit indicated in dotted eliminated and the iron is then freely slidablelines by the numeral 14, which extends through upon the bearing portionof the frame. A suitlthe handle 9 and is suitably bolted at the rearably disposed spring draws the frame upwardly end `of the iron by meansof a nut 15 engaging lle over the extending tongue of a protecting plate16 carried at the rear end of the iron and forming a protection for thesocket 10. While I have disclosed the handle as being secured to thestrap by means of a through bolt, it is obvious that any other suitablesecuring means may be employed.

At its forward end, the through bolt 14 is provided with a spacingmember 17, which has formed integral therewith the frame receivingportion 18, comprising a pair of vertical channels or passageways 19formed therein. The provision of a through bolt for the handle isdistinctly advantageous in providing an off-center support for the ironat the forward end .of the handle which allows the weight of the iron tocock the iron about the frame, thus providing the binding action forsuspending the iron above the frame.

The pair of spaced channels receiving the frame provide fornon-rotatably guiding the frame in its vertical movement with respect tothe iron, and thus prevent any portion of the frame from engaging theheated portion of the iron.

Preferably formed integral with the spacing member 17 is an extendingthreaded stud portion 20, which is adapted to receive the cover member2l, the stud 20 extending through an opening 22 formed in this member.Awing bolt 23 threads over the extending end of the stud 20, and securesthe member 21 in abutting engagement with the frame receiving portion 18of the spacing member 17.

A suitable wire frame, indicated at 24, is formed to surround the iron6, and is provided with an arched forward portion 25, having a pair ofvertically extending bearing rods 26 extending therefrom. These rods 26may be welded, as indicated at 27, to the center of the arched portion25 of the frame 24, or may be formed integral with the frame. Forexample, the rods 26 may comprise a U-shaped member having its upperportion provided with a button or cap 28 suitably secured thereto, .asby means of screw 29. The central portion of the arch 25 of the frame isprovided with a forwardly extending tongue 30 having an opening forreceiving one end of a spring member 31, the other end of the spring 31being secured to the inner surface of the plate member 21 by means ofthe screw 32.

It is to be understood that any other suitable disposition of the springmay be provided Within the scope of the invention. When the iron is inraised-position, the spring is inoperative, since the binding action ofthe iron prevents movement of the same with respect to the frame. Uponrelease of the iron, the spring draws the frame upwardly intoinoperative position.

The frame receiving portion 18 of the spacing member 17 is preferablyprovided with suitable cut-away portions cooperating with the inwardlyextending flanges 33, preferably case-hardened, which are formed on theplate member 21 in order to secure the plate member in rigid positionwith respect thereto, the channels 19 formed in the frame receivingmember 18 are preferably such as to provide free sliding movement 'ofthe frame rods 26 therein, so Athat'the iron, together with the spacingblock 17 and cover plate 21, may be moved vertically along the rods withI g little or no frictional resistance.

3 26 so as to engage the upper flange 330i the plate 21 against the ats34 formed on the surface of the rods 26 of their upper end, in order tolock this flange securely in position with respect to the rods, and toengage the lower portion of the frame receiving member 18 against theopposite surface of the rods 26. In this manner a binding or shackleaction is eected, which is suicient to hold the iron in suspendedposition within the frame 24, and spaced above any fabric or othermaterial which is being ironed. Suitable fiats 34' are formed at thelower ends of the rods 26 for holding the frame in raised position afterit has been drawn up above the ironing surface bythe spring.

By grasping the handle 9 of the iron and slightly rotating the same tolift the rear end thereof upwardly, the binding action of the guide orclamp 17 is removed, and the iron slides downwardly with respect to theframe 24, due to the sliding engagement of the rods 26 in the channels19. Further, the spring member 31 serves to draw the frame 24 upwardlyabove the ironing surface of the base 12 of the iron 6, where it will beout of the way and will not interfere with ironing operations.

The rear of the frame 24, which is preferably elevated a slight distanceabove the horizontally extending portion of the frame, as indicated bythe portion 35 thereof, is provided with an extending tongue portion 36,which may be formed by looping a portion of the rear portion 35 of theframe 24 outwardly. A cord support 37 is preferably coiled, at one endabout the extending portion 36 of the frame, as indicated at 38, and atits other end is provided with a hooked portion 39 for frictionallyreceiving aportion. of the cord 11. This cord support 37 is adapted tohold the cord 11 away from the iron 6, in order to provide a greaterrange offmovement and less interference of the cord during the ironingoperation.

The frame 24 is preferably formed of relatively stii wire, of athickness such as to support the iron in position, but which is of smallmass, so as to be able `to dissipate heat readily. The frame is light inweight, and is simply and economically constructed. Further, the mannerof forming the frame is such that it may be adapted to any type ofelectric flat iron which is now on the market, without departing fromthe scope of the invention.

In Figures 3 and 4 I have disclosed a modified form of safety device forflat irons, in which the strap portion 7 of the iron 6 is directlyclamped to the vertically extending portion of the frame by means of aclamp member 41, which is shown in more detail in Figure 4. In thismodification, I have shown a frame 24', corresponding in generalconfiguration to the frame 24 of Figure 1, which has the verticallyextending portion 26' formed by looping the arched portion 25' of theframe in a generally U-shaped configura-- tion, the individual parts ofthe frame being brought into proximity to each other to form asubstantially solid vertically extending tongue 26'.

The clamp or guide 41 for securing the fiat iron. 6 to the frame 24'comprises a recessed portion.

42, having the extending ears 43 formed normal thereto, which isadaptedto receive the strap 7. A suitably threaded extending stud 44 ispreferably Vformed integral with the clamp 41, and a nut'45 is threadedthereon for securing the iron to the clamp. .A pair. of washers 46 and47 are provided for securing a bearing surface on the opposite side ofthe strap 7, in order to insure a rigid and substantial support for theiron.

The clamp 41 also has the substantially U- shaped extending portion 48,which is provided with inwardly extending edges 49 engaging about thevertical portion 26 of the frame 24'. It will be apparent that the clamp41 will have vertical sliding movement with respect to the extendingportion 26' of the frame 24', and that thc iron, when in raisedposition, will exert a binding or clamping action with respect to theextending portion 26 of the frame, due to the off-center position of theweight of the iron,

which will bind the clamping portion 48 about the frame in such manneras to hold the iron in suspended position. I have shown the iron inlowered position in this modication, as distinguished from the iron insuspended position as shown in Figure l.

In Figure 5 I have shown a further modified construction, which isadapted'to provide means for readily removing the iron from the frame,

if such removal is desired. In this figure i have shown the frame havingthe arched portion which is provided at the center thereof .with theextending portion 26", corresponding to the portion 26 of Figure 3.However, the through bolt 14' 'of this modification, corresponding tothe through bolt 14 of Figure 1, is provided with f a bifurcated endhaving the two extending arms 50 and 51. A sliding bracket, indicatedgenerallyv at 52, is mounted about the extending portion 26" or" theframe, and is adapted to have sliding movement'in a vertical directionthereon. This guide or bracket 52 is provided with out away portionsadapted to receive the. arms 50 and 5l of the through bolt it carried bythe iron 6.

A suitable spring clip member- 53 having the inturned end 54 suitablywelded or otherwise secured to the lower end of the bracket 52, bearsagainst the lower edge of the extending portion of the arms 50-51 tobind them securely in the out-away portion of the bracket 52, in orderto hold the iron in position with respect to the bracket 52. However,when it is desired to remove the iron, the handle surrounding thethrough bolt le is grasped, and, by drawing the iron backwardly, thearms 50' and 51 are with--l drawn from the bracket 52, and the iron maythen be maneuvered independently of the frame.

The arms 50 and 51 serve to provide the cooking action necessary inorder to suspend the iron in raised position above the frame when it isdesired to cease the ironing operation.v A suitable extending tongue 55is mounted at the upper end oi the vertically extending portion 26" ofthe frame, as by means' of the nut 56 threaded upon an extending stud 57formed on the frame, so

, that the frame may be held during removal or insertion of the ironinto the bracket 52.

It will bev apparent that when the iron is in raised position, the edgesof the extending arms 50 and 51 will produce a'cocking action on thebracket 52, tending to rotate the bracket about` a horizontal axis withrespect to the upwardly extending portion 26" of the frame. This cockingaction will serve to hold the iron in suspended position. By raising theiron slightly, and drawing upwardly on the tongue 55, the frame may beraised up above the iron in order to operate the iron.

It is obvious that the frame shown in either Figure 3 or Figure 5 may beprovided with the extending tail portion 36, as shown in connection withthe frame 24 of Figure 1, in order to pro- .weight and of great heatdissipating characterisvide a support for'the cord receiving member 37.

The extending lug 55 of the safety device shown in Figure 5 is adaptedto be grasped to raise the frame above the lower. surface 12 of theiron, in order to facilitate ironing operations. However, it is obviousthat in the embodiments of both Figures 3 and 5, a suitable springmember could be provided to raise the frame upwardly when the iron isreleased from its suspended position.

It is therefore apparent that I have provided a safety device for aniron which will maintain the iron in suspended position above thematerial being ironed, and which may be constructed of economicalmaterial, and is relatively light in tics. The iron may be released fromits suspended position by merely grasping the same, whereupon thebinding action produced by the weight of the iron is released, and theframe may be automatically drawn up to a position out of the way bymeans of a spring, or may be raised upwardly by providing a suitablehandle or other means for drawing the same upwardly.

I do not intend to be limited to the exact details shown and describedin connection with the illustrated embodiment of my invention, but onlyinsofar as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim: h

l. In combination, a frame having a vertically extending integralbearing portion, a guide engaging about and having sliding movement withrespect to said bearing portion, said guide being non-rotatable withrespectl to said bearing portion, and a iiat iron carried by said guideand il@ adapted to provide a binding action or" said guide upon saidbearing portion when said iron is in raised position to maintain saidiron suspended 2. In combination, a frame having a vertically extendingbearing portion, notches formed at the upper end of saidbearing portion,a guide engaging about and having sliding movement with respect to saidbearing portion, and a flat iron carried by said guide and adapted toprovide a binding action of said guide upon said bearing portion and toengage said guide in said notches when said iron is in raised position,said iron being removably mounted on said guide.

3. In e. safety device for a fiat iron having a laterally extendinghandle, a frame surrounding 125 said iron and formed of relatively rigidwire, said frame having a vertically extending bearing portion, guidemeans freely slidable upon said bearing portion, means comprising athrough y bolt extending through said handle for securing 130 said ironto said guide means to dispose the weight of said iron away from saidguid means, said guide -means being cramped against movement withrespect to said bearing portion when said iron is in suspended position.135

In a safety devicefor a fiat iron having a laterally extending handle, aframe having a vertically extending bearing portion, a guide slidableupon said bearing portion and having channels formedtherein forreceiving said bearing portion, a cover member clamped over said channelpori tion of said guide, and clamping means comprising a through boltextending through the handle 1 of said iron and carried by said guidefor supporting said iron at the forward end thereof. Y

5. A safety device for fiat irons, comprising a Wire frame formed with,parallel-extending horizontal side portions,.said frame having anarched forward portion adapted to extend over and above the toe of saidiron, a raised rear portion ,150

extending beyond the heel of said iron, and an integral vertical portioncomprising integral post portions extending from said arched forwardportion and forming a bearing for slidably and non-rotatably supportingsaid iron in raised position Within said frame.

6. A safety device for electric fiat irons, comprising a wire frameformed with parallel-extending horizontal side portions, said framehav-- ing an arched forward portion adapted to extend over the toe ofsaid. iron, a raised rear portion extending beyond the heel of saidiron, an extending tongue formed lon said rear portion and adapted toreceive a cord supporting member, and a vertical portion extending fromsaid arched forward -portion and forming a bearing for slidablysupporting said iron.

7.' in combination, a frame formed of wire and having a verticallyextending forward portion, a iiat iron having a conducting meansextending therefrom leading to a source of supply for heating said iron,a handle carried by said iron, a through bolt securing said handle tosaid iron, said through bolt having a spacing portion at the frontthereof adapted to engage the vertically extending portion of saidframe, a cover member secured over said spacing portion and forming aguide freely slidable on said vertically extending portion of saidframe, and a supporting member carried at the rear of said frame forengaging the conducting means extending from said iron.

8. A safety device for a ilat iron comprising a supporting frame havinga vertically extending bearing portion at one end thereof, and guidemeans supporting said ironupon said frame, said guide means beingslidable on said bearing portion. and non-rotatable with respectthereto.

9. A safety device for lat irons comprising a frame having a verticallyextending bearing portion at one end thereof, said bearing portioncomprising spaced post members, and guide means slidably mounted on saidbearing portion for nonrotatably supporting a flat iron for verticalmovement within said frame the weight of said iron when supported bysaid frame binding said guide means about said bearing portion.

10. A safety device for flat irons comprising a frame having an archedforward portion, posts extending vertically from said arched portion,means for spacing said posts laterally at the top and bottom thereof,and iron-supporting guide A means slidable on and having shacklingengagement with said posts. P.;

il. A safety device for flat irons comprising a frame having an archedforward portion, posts extending vertically from said arched portion,means at the `oottom of said posts for holding said posts in spacedrelation, means at the upper en d of said posts for holding said postsin spaced relation, and guide means supporting a nat iron for verticalmovement within said frame and slidable on said posts, said guide meanshaving binding engagement with said posts when in raised position.'

handle of said iron for securing said iron to said guide means.

13. A safety device for a flat iron comprising a frame having avertically extending bearing portion, notch means formed in said bearingportion adjacent the upper end thereof, and a guide slidable on saidbearing portion and having means for supporting said iron, said guidehaving means engaging in said notched means when said guide is in raisedposition.

1li. A. safety device for a flat iron comprising a frame having avertically extending bearing portion, notch means formed in said bearingportion, a guide slidably mounted on said bearing portion and havingmeans for supporting said iron, and means carried by said guide meansengaging in said notch means when said iron is in raised position tosupport said iron above said frame.

15. `A safety device for a flat iron comprising a frame having avertically extending bearing portion disposed within the peripheralextent of said iron, guide means secured to said iron and receiving saidbearing portion, said frame being slidable with respect to said guidemeans from iron supporting position below the surface of said iron to aposition above said surface, said guide means having binding engagementwith said bearing portion when said frame is in iron supportingposition.v

16. In a at iron having a forwardly extending toe portion, a safetydevice therefor comprising a frame having its forward portion archedover the toe portion of said iron, a vertical bearing portion extendingfrom said arched portion, and `guide means slidable on said bearingportion and providing for movement of said frame from a position belowthe surface of said iron to a position above said surface, said guidemeans supporting said iron whereby the weight of said iron binds saidguide means about the bearing portion when said frame is in lowermostposition.

17. ln a at iron having a forwardly extending toe portion and a handleportion, a safety devicetherefor comprising a frame having its forwardportion arched over the toe portion of said iron, a vertical bearingportion extending centrally from said arched portion, and guide meansprojecting forwardly of the handle portion of said iron and disposedabove the toe portion thereof within the peripheral extent of said toeportion, said guide means receiving said vertical bearing portion ofsaid frame and providing for movement of said frame from a positionbelow the lower surface of said iron to a position above said surface.

HENRY LOMO.

